§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the cost of cattle passports is calculated; and what is the cost of similar arrangements in each EU member state. [94289]
1047W
§ Ms QuinMy right hon. Friend the Minister announced on 20 September 1999 that the Government would not now be proceeding with their proposals to charge for cattle passports. In the current depressed state of the market this would be an additional burden on farmers. The Government will continue to meet the running costs of the Cattle Tracing System and will not impose charges before 2002–03 at the earliest.
Regarding charges in other member states, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Totnes (Mr. Steen) on 22 July 1999, Official Report, column 660.